The new Moto2 world champion, Ai Ogura, completed his first MotoGP laps during the Barcelona test. The young Japanese, now a driver for the TrackHouse Racing team, lived up to expectations.
The Moto2 world champion Ai Ogura made his MotoGP debut during the
Barcelona tests. With a 21st place and two seconds behind the best time, the raw results may seem modest. However, Oguranow at the helm of l’Aprilia RS-GP of the team
TrackHouseshowed promising potential despite a debut marked by adjustments and adaptation to the premier category.
Ogura completed 85 laps on a
Aprilia of 300 horsepower, impressed not by the power of the motorcycle, but by the subtleties of its piloting: “the possibility of playing with the accelerator and influencing the entire bike has been my biggest surprise “, he said. The young Japanese quickly got used to the speed, but identified an urgent need to progress through the corners, particularly between the braking phase : « I waste a lot of time here,
This is clearly my main goal for improvement. for Sepang. »
Despite his rapid adaptation to motorcycling, Ogura admitted to having felt a certain tension in the context of MotoGP, particularly while riding with the best riders in the world: “ being on the track with them made me nervous “, he confided. This nervousness manifested itself in a fall in turn 2, without major consequences for him but with minor damage to the bike.
Ai Ogura : « I'm going to have to train a lot more this winter »
However, Ogura said he was satisfied with the atmosphere within the team TrackHouse
Aprilia : « communication with the whole team was excellent, a real relief. » Ai Ogura finished his first day 2 seconds behind the best time, but he also had to notice that the rookie
Fermin Aldeguer on the Ducati Gresini was 0.4 seconds faster. Despite this, the Japanese was ahead
Jack Millerwho made his debut with the
Pramac-Yamahaan encouraging sign for the future.
Ogura approached the physical demands of MotoGP seriously: “ I feel good after the day,
but I only did ten laps in a row. I'm going to have to train a lot more this winter. »
The objective is clear: prepare for the full distance of the races while continuing to adapt to RS-GP and the specificities of the MotoGP category. With a methodical approach and the support of the TrackHouse team, Ai Ogura looks well placed to make a successful transition to MotoGP. His strengths, notably his ability to manage decreasing grip, are already recognized by his boss
Davide Briviowho sees him as a key element for the future.
The Sepang tests, planned in FEBRUARYwill be crucial to measure his progress and confirm the hopes placed in this young Japanese talent. MotoGP 2025 already promises to be an exciting year for Ai Ogura and his team.
MotoGP, Barcelona Test: times
